American Football - NFL ban umpire over verbal abuse

Umpire Roy Ellison has been suspended for one game without pay for making a profane and derogatory remark to Washington Redskins offensive lineman Trent Williams during last Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Williams said Ellison walked by him after a play and called him a "garbage-ass, disrespectful (expletive)."

Team-mates supported Williams' claim.

Williams said he was not sure why Ellison made those comments to him.

According to John Wooten of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a group formed to promote diversity in hiring in the NFL, Williams was accused of using a racial slur toward Ellison, allegedly reported by other players.

Williams contends he did not say anything inappropriate and if he said what Wooten claimed, then he should have been penalised for it.

NBC6 TV in Miami shot footage of Incognito arriving at the Dolphins' facility. ESPN.com reported that Incognito met with Wells on Thursday night and also met with him again Friday.

At the Dolphins' request, the league is looking into the issues that led up to offensive tackle Jonathan Martin walking away from the team October 28, citing bullying from Incognito and other team-mates.

- - -

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker, who is recovering from a concussion, was listed as probable for Sunday night's game against the host New England Patriots.

Interim coach Jack Del Rio said Welker passed every concussion test from independent neurologists, per the NFL's mandated protocol for head injuries.

Welker was injured last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and was cleared to practice Thursday.

- - -

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has told radio station WIP that the team should continue to stick with Nick Foles as its starter.

Vick is closer to recovering from a hamstring injury but Foles has been the hot hand.

Coach Chip Kelly has not directly addressed the starting quarterback situation but said of Foles: "We've won with Nick, and he's not turning the ball over. That's huge for us."

McCoy was called for a roughing-the-passer penalty when he hit Davis in the knees. Davis left the game with a bruised knee, but he was available as the Falcons' backup for Thursday's game.

- - -

Oakland Raiders running Darren McFadden and wide receiver Denarius Moore both missed practice with injuries on Friday, and neither is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, CSNBayArea.com reported.

McFadden has a hamstring injury, and Moore has a shoulder problem.

- - -

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata practiced on Friday for the first time since injuring a knee last week. Ngata missed practice all last week and did not play last Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears.